That seems like a simple solution Quasimodo. [^] Mine is more serous. How to post and be taken seriously when I can’t even spell properly? It seems Steve and I are the only one’s who need a spell check! []
I actually have a soft spot for old mansions, however I’d still do due dillegence by getting a building inspector out to look at the property.
Is it national trust or heritage listed? I ask this, because although it’s had work done on it, not always is it done by the book for eg. A structure built over the driveway to protect the owner’s care in one of the properties I looked at, did not conform to council regulations. I walked. The less hassles the better, but you could always inquire as to why the house has not been completed or touched in 2.5 years. I’d like to know the answer to that one.
I was brought up in an old Edwardian, double red clinker brick, with a central domed ceiling indoors including chandelier, more than 12 foot ceilings in the hallways and bedrooms, 5 bedrooms, 2 Kitchens, 2 bathrooms, 1 living room, 1 dining room, front manicured garden and backyard with garage from a long driveway, Gazebo and side garden. The house was enchanting and I loved growing up in it. However, the floorboards creaked, some were missing under the pure woollen carpet (the old good quality stuff), the wiring was better used for tying up a christmas turkey, the wallpaper covered a multitude of sins, the windows were wood and painted with enamel paint, to help keep it from splintering, and mould had began to rise up the walls (damp rot), causing Asthma and respitory illnesses not listed in any medical text books I know of.
Don’t get me wrong, everyone who came into the house fell in love with it and the warmth of my parents hospitality, however it was a lot of effort to keep it maintained. My parents poured a lot of money into the house ( I thought it was worth it, and taking wedding photos in the front garden and in the house was and is a priceless memory) but for investing purposes, dreams aside, it may be a black hole. In the 25 years my parents owned the house they made a 1000% profit on the initial purchase price, but in the meantime I am sure they spent that money and some in its upkeep. All they had from the sale was enough to buy another smaller house and pay some bills. Take care you may be landed with a black pit.
Cheers
Sooshie []
I agree with Kirby. There is an oversupply at the moment. Wait for the firesales to begin. Read some of the posts at this forum and you will find some information regarding, buying off the plan in general.
Perhaps, coming down to Melbourne and getting to know the areas you are looking at, may give you a better indication dollar for dollar what you are comparing it to up in Sydney.
Be wary, your fair game for a lot of racketeers here (Racketeers are everywhere, but they seem to have honing beacons when they smell the scent of potential money).
Cheers
Sooshie []
Everyone be patient for the Wealth Guardian. Anything good is worth waiting for.
The link you mentioned Ray, is not working. Thanks for your imput. I look foward to meeting you all at the seminar.
This is just a link to a story on Today Tonight, Melbourne based Current affair program. Of course it’s up to you to decide how you take it but I found something to note anyway. This is for you Nathan(newbie)all others who don’t know the ropes (and we never ever really know everything anyway – which is a good thing, because it keeps each day fresh to learn something new!) []
One of the due dilegence, is a building inspection. This is after the 11 Second solution.
As for researching the area, one might be what sort of township is it, or how transient the business is.
I suggest for more info, Steve’s wrap kit, as it delves deeper into this and also has templates you can use.
I don’t know about JC’s seminar, but I guess what you’ll get out of it depends on what your goals are. What made you put the deposit down in the first place? I’ve always wanted to know the motivation behind this? Please humour me.
After reading your next posting, I realise you know much more about puters than I do.
Sorry for suggesting the obvious and in true Homer Simpson style “DOH”
A simple spreadsheet is easy to do, cost you next to nothing (time does cost []). Hubby set one up for us, very basic and easy to use. It’s just a set of tables with parameters you fill in. Personally, I like the clipboard method and pen better.
Looks like you’ve already been given good advice. Do your homework and look around. When do you need to decide by?
Having dealt with one of the banks listed above, I can say, be very careful as there are some catches that we’ve encountered in trying to set up our accounts for investing purposes. Sometimes the rigidity of banks can cost you, where as upfront cost with other lenders may cost slightly more, but give more flexibility. Ask the person doing your loan what they’re commission is. This is also negotiable, I have found. Especially if you are going to do repeat business.
Negotiate what YOU want and need with the managers, not the worker bees. Sometimes the banks offer what you need, without the frills and it will cost you less because you don’t have to pay for things you don’t use, but they won’t often tell you this.
Ivan, I posted last night (even though I was half delerious with sleep, to try to aleviate some of your anxiety. Steve has put all the points down, plus some, which will put you in a better position and hopefully a better frame of mind. I assumed however, that this purchase was for living in and not for investment purposes.
For future reference, agents will often slide you a card of a person (usually a friend of the company) who does finance. They’re a dime a dozen, but a bad one will cost you (trust me, our first wrap was done with a bozo and we paid) The commission is pretty good and they take a cut aswell. Bottom line – You pay. [] Prior to looking for any property is to do your groundwork/homework/research etc. Get your conveyencor (excuse spelling! Hey Steve, can we finally get a SPELL check happening here!!! []), someone to do finance and will let you know how much you can spend, an investment plan and a list of all the incidentals (usually allow for 10%). And NEVER buy on an emotional persuasion.
Good luck and I hope you felt relieved that someone heard your plea for help. []
Please let me know if you’ve seen duplications of links, that way I can edit them and make searching for links faster for PI forum readers.
Please report any broken links aswell. I always check links first, but after time they can break down and I might have not have been to that site in the mean time.
This happened to me, the first time around and I was ‘green’ behind the ears ( so to speak).
I would do something very naughty. I would look at the contract of sale, find out the owners name, do the research (yellow or white pages) and drop them a line, saying that due to the ‘questionable’ actions of their chosen agent, you, as a potential and hopeful buyer are being scared away by his tactics and thereby the vendor is missing out on a potential buyer.
Actually, I wouldn’t do this, as it’s pretty dirty stuff and that would just lower my ethical standards.
At the end of the day, the agent is just trying to increase his profit margin on your and the vendors wallets. What he’s doing is legal, just very painfull. If it doesn’t feel right, walk away.
Welcome to the forum! [] Take the opportunity to look around and see the postings. Even the ones that may look unrelated, may actually have a new twist on something old. That’s what I’ve learned here.
Unfortunately, you are not the first person to be stung by these type of people, nor will you be the last. [}]
Do you have a lawyer you are using for conveincing (please excuse my spelling)? If so, I think you should call him and discuss the situation, after all that is what you’ll be paying him for. Secondly, James (or whatever) shouldn’t have been paid unless you signed some paperwork authorizing access to monies.
Get a copy of the paperwork you filled in (the loan application) which you are entitled. Ring up James and find out who his superior is. Always go to the top ( ie ‘Queen Bee’), rather than the ‘worker bees’, such as James. Ask to find out why James mislead you, when he knew you would have difficulty obtaining a loan, due to your recent arrival in Aust etc. Tell him, if the monies are not reversed, there will be serious repercussions of his unethical conduct.
Speak to your lawyer. The fact that you made the contract subject to finance and this was initially refused (Do you have a copy of this in writing?), you should be able to get all your money back. Do not sign anything James or his buddies give you or try to bully you, without getting someone to look over it.
For your own peace of mind, STRESS NOT. Better you loose that little amount of money from incidentals now, then struggle to pay a huge home loan and go into default and have that listed on your credit rating against any potential future purchases.
Seek the lawyers advice. All is not lost. Don’t sign anything.